News Release – Trace Levels of Selenium Detected in Kaunakakai Water System

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIA'ĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

KENNETH S. FINK, MD, MGA, MPH

DIRECTOR

KA LUNA HO'OKELE

TRACE LEVELS OF SELENIUM DETECTED IN KAUNAKAKAI WATER SYSTEM

26-112

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 28, 2026

HONOLULU - Trace levels of selenium have been detected for the first time in water samples collected at Kualapuʻu Mauka Tank Chlorinator, which is part of the County of Maui Department of Water Supply's (MDWS) Kaunakakai water system (Public Water System HI0000234) serving the Kaunakakai area of the island of Molokaʻi.

The detected selenium levels ranged from 2.3 to 2.4 micrograms per liter (µg/L), which are below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Maximum Contaminant Level for selenium of 50 µg/L. The detected levels are unlikely to pose a public health risk.

Selenium was detected in samples collected on July 15, 2026, and Aug. 11, 2026. MDWS notified DOH of the initial confirmation of the detection via phone and email on Aug. 19, 2026.

Map of the service area of Kaunakakai water system

Selenium is a naturally occurring mineral element that is distributed widely in nature in most rocks and soils. The presence of selenium in drinking water can be attributed to the erosion of natural mineral deposits.

To date, MDWS is and continues to be in compliance with the federal and state selenium standard for drinking water. Impacted users can contact the MDWS at 808-270-7816.

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